Bengaluru, 6 Aug

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has busted a racket in smuggling of dried seahorses by arresting three people from Tamil Nadu with 6,626 seahorses at the Kempegowda International Airport here, a DRI official said on Tuesday.

With this, the DRI Bengaluru official claimed, a major smuggling network involved in the illegal trade of dried seahorses has been dismantled.

“Acting on specific intelligence, DRI Bengaluru officers apprehended three individuals linked to this syndicate on August 3 at Terminal-1, Kempegowda Airport," he said. "The suspects were en route to Singapore via Mumbai, in a flight of a private airline, when their checked baggage was examined, leading to the discovery of 6,626 (dried) seahorses."

It’s the biggest seizure of (dried) seahorses in recent times. The three passengers have been arrested and are under investigation. All of them are from Tamil Nadu and are in their mid 30s, the official said.

According to him, all species of seahorses in India are classified under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making their sale, purchase, and any form of utilisation illegal and punishable.

Furthermore, under Export Policy, the export of wild animals and marine species, including their parts and products, is strictly prohibited. Consequently, the seahorses were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, in conjunction with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it was noted.

DRI sources said that on August 4, 2024, following a meticulously planned operation, the key figure orchestrating the smuggling operation was apprehended here. “This individual was instrumental in coordinating the procurement and shipment of the seahorses to Singapore. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to unravel the broader smuggling network operating between India and Southeast Asian countries,” he added.

The DRI official said the demand for dried seahorses in Southeast Asian markets is primarily driven by their use in traditional medicine, gourmet cuisine, and as ornamental species for aquariums.

In traditional Chinese medicine, seahorses are prized for their supposed health benefits, while they are also considered a delicacy in some culinary traditions. Additionally, their unique appearance makes them popular among marine enthusiasts, he added.